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BASTA PINOY! SPORTS REVIEW

New Filipino GM joins chess Olympics elims

MANILA, July 13  -- The three-time national team
member just can't say no to the call of duty.

Just five days after getting his third and final grandmaster norm, 33-year-old Bong Villamayor has decided to forego his much-needed rest in order to join the two-week long World Chess Olympiad eliminations at the Department of Interior and Local
Government Headquarters in Quezon City.

"After doing some soul-searching and consulting with my family, friends and the Philippine Chess Society, I have decided to join the eliminations in the interest of national unity," said Villamayor. "I just hope I can perform well in the tournament."

The PCS, which backstopped the recently-held Equitable Card Invitational Chess Classic, has been a major supporter of Villamayor in his Asian campaign this year - the Japfa Bali Open (Indonesia), Asian Zonals 3.2a and Vungtau Intourco Grandmasters
Circuit (both in Vietnam).

Not a greenhorn to various regional and world chessfests, the Philippine Christian University coach was part of the six-man team sent to the biennial Olympics in Elista (1998) and Moscow (1994),
where the Philippines both finished in the Top 3.
Villamayor also copped his International Master title in the 1998 Chess Olympiad. He was also instrumental in the tie for second finish at the 1999 Asian Team Championships held in Shenyang, China.

The native of Mauban, Quezon took the gold medal in the 1995 Asian Cities Team Championships in Hongkong before bagging the Abu Dhabi International Open crown the following year.

Villamayor, who was the 1998 National Centennial Champion, may expect nail-biting opposition from the likes of International Master Petronio Roca, Barlo Nadera, Enrique Paciencia and Richard Bitoon in the competition organized by the Philippine Chess
Federation.

"Everybody is worthy of a place in the team. It's just a matter of breaks in this 9-round Swiss system," said Villamayor.

Among those who will make sparks fly in the women's qualifiers are Women National Masters Cristine Rose Mariano, Joy Lomibao, Beverly Mendoza and veteran campaigner Carmelita Abanes. (SNS)

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